Summary
Siau Island is a small, remote location renowned for its stunning natural environment in northeastern Indonesia. It is easily accessible from Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.
Pulau Siau may not be widely recognized, yet it possesses many elements that define the beauty of Indonesia: breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and active volcanoes.
The island is home to one of the world’s most dynamic volcanoes, Mount Karangetang, which is frequently active and often emits smoke along with rocks and lava.
Additionally, Siau Island is unique for its endemic species of tarsier, known as the Siau Island tarsier, which can be observed in its natural habitat.
This travel guide elucidates how to reach Siau Island and provides essential information for your journey.
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Where Is Siau Island?
Siau Island (pronounced ‘see-oww’) is situated approximately 150 kilometers (90 miles) northeast of Manado, in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
It is part of the remote Sitaro Islands Regency, which encompasses the volcanic islands of Siau, Tagulandang, and Biaro.
How To Get To Siau Island
Currently, there are two methods for traveling to Siau Island.
The most common option is to take a 4-hour fast ferry from Manado harbor to Siau. The ferry is maintained well, considered safe, and operates daily in both directions. It functions much like a large speedboat, equipped with air conditioning and comfortable seating, with a fare of 220k Rupiah.
An alternative is to board a domestic flight to the newly established Naha Airport (NAH) on Siau. Wings Air operates two flights weekly from Manado (MDC), with a travel time of approximately one hour.
If you are planning to visit during the rainy season (November to April), it may be prudent to avoid the ferry due to potentially rough sea conditions. However, during the dry months, the ferry is a reliable option.
How To Get Around
Transportation options on Siau include cars, scooters, or boats, as the island is too large to navigate comfortably on foot.
Car pickup and drop-off at the harbor were included in our hotel package at the Kalea Beach Resort, and we also utilized motorbike taxis (ojek) for excursions like tarsier spotting and my ascent of Gunung Karangetang.
The typical fare for a motorbike taxi ride from one end of the island to the other is about 100k Rupiah, taking roughly one hour for the journey.
Motorbike rentals are available for approximately 50-100k per day in Ulu (the island’s primary town). The roads are passable, though we opted not to self-drive.
An island-hopping tour to Mahoro costs 800k Rupiah for the day (beginning from Kalea), although negotiation for a lower fare is possible given the proximity of the islands.
Best Things To See & Do In Siau Island
• Mount Karangetang
The Karangetang volcano is the quintessential feature of Siau Island, dominating the landscape as you explore the area.
This volcano ranks among the most active in Indonesia, characterized by its twin smoking craters at the summit. If fortunate, visitors may observe it releasing molten lava and rock debris at night, which is a frequent occurrence.
For the adventurous, there is an option to climb to the volcano’s peak, though many prefer to hike partway up to view the smoking craters from a safer distance.
In summary, hiking this volcano serves as a remarkable, albeit demanding, experience.
• Mahoro Island
Mahoro is a charming small island located east of Siau, known for its pristine white sands and some of the clearest waters we have encountered in Indonesia, complemented by views of the distant smoking volcano.
A day trip to Mahoro, as well as nearby islands, can be easily arranged from Siau and typically takes only 30 minutes via speedboat.
A brief hiking trail leads to a viewpoint on the island; however, we opted to skip it since I was scheduled to hike Gunung Karangetang the following morning.
During our visit to Mahoro, we were approached by a local couple who requested a 50k Rupiah ‘cleanup fee’ following a gathering their friends held on the island.
While we support initiatives for environmental upkeep, we were disheartened to observe that no cleaning was conducted during our stay, thus we offered 20k Rupiah with an explanation.
While there was some litter present, it was not excessive. Overall, it ranks among the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia.
Exploring the island’s rear by boat reveals multiple caves and a rock arch along the coastline.
• Masare Island
This small island, located near Mahoro, features similar white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
Visiting Masare along with Mahoro is quite feasible, and it is reputed to offer good snorkeling opportunities, although we did not partake.
Traveling from Mahoro, it takes only about 10 minutes or less to reach this island.
The island is home to the rare Maleo bird, an endangered species native to Indonesia, found exclusively in Sulawesi and Buton.
The Maleo lays its eggs beneath the sand, utilizing the warmth of the sun to incubate them. It is indeed fascinating!
The aerial view of the island even resembles the shape of a bird.
• Siau Island Tarsier Spotting
Siau Island is synonymous with its endemic species of tarsier, the Siau Island tarsier. These nocturnal primates are recognized for their large, inquisitive eyes and insectivorous diet.
The southern region of the island hosts a significant population of tarsiers, making it highly worthwhile to allocate an evening to observe them!
Our accommodation (Kalea) facilitated a 2-3 hour tarsier spotting excursion for 150k Rupiah, which included transportation for both individuals.
Surprisingly, we experienced greater success locating tarsiers here compared to the Tangkoko Nature Reserve in northern Sulawesi, where we observed several and heard even more during the night.
It is essential to maintain a respectful distance and refrain from using flash photography (small handheld lights are acceptable). The Siau Island tarsier is critically endangered, and it is crucial to avoid causing undue stress to these delicate creatures.
I utilized a standard lens for the photographs, but with the appropriate camera equipment and telephoto lens, results could be significantly enhanced.
• Temboko Lehi Beach (Pantai Temboko Lehi)
This location features a hot spring beach situated on the northwest side of Siau Island.
The hot water originates from underground fissures at the base of the Karangetang volcano. Although the water temperature is too high for direct swimming, locals can guide you to a safe pool nearby.
Temboko Lehi is unique as the sole hot spring beach in Indonesia! In fact, hot spring beaches are exceptionally rare globally, with only a few existing.
• Makalehi Island
Makalehi is a secluded volcanic island near Siau, accessible by boat in roughly two hours. We opted not to visit due to rough sea conditions during our stay.
The center of this island features a large heart-shaped crater lake, which can be admired from elevated vantage points via ridge hikes.
Where To Stay In Siau Island
• Kalea Beach Resort
We enjoyed several nights at the Kalea Beach Resort, the primary accommodation option on Siau, located on the southern end of the island.
The resort is positioned along a rocky beach with views of the volcano in the distance, refreshing breezes, and tiny hermit crabs traversing the sand. We even heard tarsiers in the trees during nighttime.
The accommodations are basic, featuring flush toilets and hand showers. While there is no air conditioning, a fan suffices for comfortable nighttime temperatures.
While some upkeep is needed, and the inclusion of a bed net would enhance comfort, mosquitoes were minimal during our stay. The staff were amiable and accommodating, often willing to negotiate prices.
We paid 500k Rupiah per night during our visit, which included transportation to and from the harbor and three meals daily for both guests. All meals were exceptional.
For inquiries, they can be contacted via WhatsApp at ☎ +62 821-8773-3163.
• Other Accommodation
Numerous basic homestays have emerged in Ulu, the main town on Siau Island.
My primary recommendation would be Little House, strategically situated near the harbor, equipped with its own small restaurant and a minimarket in proximity.
Keep in mind it is a very basic homestay; however, they provide double bedrooms or family rooms equipped with air conditioning, hot showers, and television. Nightly rates range from 220k to 550k, depending on the size and type of accommodation.
Interestingly, it is operated by the same proprietors as the Kalea Beach Resort, hence the contact number remains unchanged (+62 821-8773-3163). The manager at Little House is exceedingly welcoming and resourceful despite limited English proficiency.
After my hike on Karangetang, they permitted me to use their shower and even prepared a complimentary breakfast for us despite our non-guest status!
Other Tips For Siau Island
- ATM: Several functional ATMs are located in Ulu town. We used BNI, which dispenses smaller 50k Rupiah notes.
- Credit Cards: During our visit, credit cards were not accepted anywhere, necessitating cash payments.
- Electricity: The island benefits from 24/7 electricity, although we experienced a few brief outages at Kalea.
- Cell Service: Telkomsel provides reliable 4G coverage across the island. This was used for hotspot purposes as WiFi was unavailable.
- WiFi: WiFi is virtually non-existent on Siau Island, although future improvements are anticipated. Kalea indicated plans to implement it soon.
- Religion: Similar to Manado, the majority of Siau’s inhabitants practice Christianity. A mosque is present in Ulu town, but we did not experience any disturbances while staying at Kalea.
When To Visit Pulau Siau
Siau experiences a tropical rainforest climate akin to that of Manado and the broader region of North Sulawesi. The driest months span from July to October.
The wettest months are observed from November to March; therefore, it is advisable to plan your visit outside this period if possible. Our trip in June coincided with favorable weather conditions.
Wishing you enjoyable travels!
